Modeling adaptive evolution in diploid species

par M. Diamantis Sellis (Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1)

mardi 6 déc. 2016, 11:00 → 12:00 Europe/Paris

432 (Bât. CEI2, Inria Antenne la Doua)

Adaptive evolution is at the core of multiple major issues, such as the emergence of drug resistance in human pathogens and pests. It is thus of great importance to deeply understand the mechanisms and dynamics of adaptive evolution in order to improve our ability to predict and manage such complex processes. In this context, I will present my work on modeling the dynamics of adaptation in diploids. Contrary to what has been previously assumed, I have found that adaptation in diploids is qualitatively different from haploids. I will present a diploid version of Fisher's geometric model implemented in an evolutionary simulation. I will show that adaptive evolution in diploids proceeds by transient states of balancing selection due to heterozygote advantage, the state under which a heterozygote individual is more fit than both homozygotes. This finding has important implications for our understanding of the origin and maintenance of variation in nature. I will conclude with some recent developments and extensions of the simulations exploring the predictability of evolution.